Crossing his arms, Jonathan leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed and jaw clenched in anger. Jacob had just told him that his position in The Guard would be essentially ceremonial. Any threat or danger that came through and he would be pulled back to safety.

"You are making me nothing but a burden to my tower group. If that is all I will be then you should just remove me from The Guard." He was forcing himself to sound calm.

"None of us think that is a good idea." Jacob also sounded calm. Jonathan knew better, his brother was coiled so tightly he was about to snap.

"This is ridiculous. Someone takes a shot at my tower and you assume it was intentionally aimed at me, which is crazy. Who out there knows that I am in The Guard, at that tower during third watch, and that I was on the top of the tower? Gideon assigns our positions when we get to watch. I didn't even know that was where I would be. That is why you are doing this isn't it?"

"I am responsible for ensuring your safety."

"I won't go back on duty until you change the orders. Either I am a guardsman, who accepts all the risk that it entails, or I am not."

"You are not released from your position as a guardsman. If you fail to attend your watch then you will be subject to the discipline of your command."

Pushing to his feet Jonathan stood toe to toe with his brother. "Change the orders."

"No."

Spinning on his heals Jonathan marched out of the room. He headed upstairs instead of out of the castle. From the fifth floor he took the servants stairs down and outside. Whether Gavin had allowed him to go, or whether he had actually managed to evade his primary guard Jonathan didn't know and didn't care. With his back against the castle wall he was thankful to be alone. The last time he was this angry his actions had landed him in the old guard tower, locked in solitary confinement for three days. While he no longer wanted to be that angry rebellious boy, it did give him an idea for a place he would be left alone.

Sitting in the tiny cell had given him time to think and calm down. Jonathan glanced up to see Gideon leaning in the doorway to the cell. He hadn't even made any noise when he came in.

"On your feet guardsman."

Gideon was an easy going, laid back, happy sort. There had only been a couple of occasions where Jonathan had seen his serious side, but he had a suspicion that his commander could be the most intimidating, and possibly capable of imposing the most severe punishments of all of those in his chain of command. He really didn't want to find out. He got to his feet and came to attention.

"Why have you put yourself in here?"

"Before I entered The Guard, I spent three days confined here. I got in an argument with my brother today. Instead of leaving the grounds or finding someone to fight with I came here. I wanted to remember what happens when I take my own path."

"Good answer. Unfortunately, you disobeyed a direct order and failed to show up for duty before coming to your senses. We had a conversation some months ago when I became your commander. Do you remember it?"

"Yes sir. You said you would not give me the same leeway as someone less inclined to rebel."

"Keep it in mind when I assign you punishment. Right now, we have a meeting to attend at our tower."

"Is Gavin here?"

"He will meet us there."

Jonathan entered the tower first. Caleb, Laban and Gavin were sitting at the middle table together. Third watch had ended at midnight as always. Having a meeting in the middle of the night lent a certain clandestine feel to it.

Joining the men at the table Jonathan took in their not too serious faces.

"I am not sure I want to be here. All three of my Captain's in one place?" Eyebrows up and half joking Jonathan leaned back in his chair. "I suppose though since neither of my brothers are here, I am relatively safe."

"In light of the recent attack it has been brought to our attention that your placement in The Guard was not entirely well thought out." Caleb began, Jonathan crossed his arms and snorted.

"Brilliant observation." His snide remark was checked by a glare that reminded him he was talking to his captain.

"You need to be free to act as a guardsman and your tower group needs to be able to focus on their jobs without the worry of protecting you. That being said we have come up with a solution. Gavin will now attend watch with you. You and your tower group will be free to respond to any situation as you have been trained. Only if Gavin feels the need will you be pulled back or given extra protection."

Jonathan had leaned forward as Caleb spoke. Hope started in his toes and was working its way over all of him. He would accept having his primary guard if it meant he could fulfill his duty.

"All of us feel that a single guard is not enough. You will need to choose a second primary guard as soon as possible. In case it needs to be said you need to quit evading the secondary guards." Caleb grinned as he added this last bit. Those who had been given guard duty over Jonathan had actually enjoyed the challenge. They were in competition to see who could stick the longest.

"Then Drey will win the pot, which wouldn't be quite fair because he pulled two formal events in a row." When the chuckles died down Jonathan continued. "Gideon, have you already planned a punishment for me, or is that tomorrow's problem?"

"I will be escorting you to watch an hour early for a month. For the sarcastic remark to the captain your right to speak will be revoked during watch tomorrow."

"Fair enough." These men had just given him the ability to truly be a guardsman. That made accepting their discipline incredibly easy.  The meeting ended; Jonathan and Gavin headed back to the castle.

"Thanks, Gavin. You are the only one who could make that happen. It means a lot to me."

"You are welcome. I am happy that I can help keep your life balanced."

"Who should we pick as second guardsman?"

"We, sire?"

"You spend essentially all of your time following me around. You don't even take time away when you can."

"I look at protecting you more as a calling than a job. It is what I do."

"That means if we add another guard you and I will both have to spend a ridiculous amount of time with them. It doesn't seem like a decision I should make alone."

"I will think about it and get back to you."

"Excellent."